We are looking up, says Accrington Stanley defender Hunt

TOMORROW’S game against Northampton Town has been dubbed the biggest of Accrington Stanley’s season.

The Reds have already put significant daylight between themselves and the second bottom side thanks to a four-game unbeaten run – including two wins – but will look to assure safety with an important home win this weekend.

Nicky Hunt feels the side can begin to look up, though, rather than over their shoulders, with the prospect of moving into the top half this weekend.

“We could be seven points off the play-offs,” said the defender of the possible League Two situation should Stanley claim maximum points tomorrow.

“From where we were after 10 games of the season it’s a remarkable achievement for everyone involved with the club.

“We don’t like looking back at what happened before Christmas, we just look at the next game now.

“If you do by any chance look back it’s a remarkable feat for everyone involved – the whole squad of players, because everyone’s been used over the course of the season. It’s not just the same 11 week in week out.”

Stanley had just two points from their opening 10 games and were without a league win from 12.

But their season has taken a remarkable turnaround, and now Hunt and co are taking great satisfaction from proving those who thought they were relegation certainties wrong.

“I think we were favourites to go down, especially after the start we had,” said the former Bolton right back.

“Hopefully now we’re laughing in those people’s faces. The best feeling you can have is proving doubters wrong.

“I think the character of everyone involved with the playing squad and managerial staff, it’s a never-say-die attitude and always believe in your own ability and that’s what we’ve done throughout the course of the season.

“For this group of players, especially the young lads, we’re hoping it will be a remarkable season for us.”

Safety aside, their most immediate target is improving on last season’s points total of 54.

With six games to go they are five points away from matching that tally.

“We want to beat the 54 points we got last season,” said Hunt.

“I think we can get to 60, that’s 11 points out of six games which is four wins basically.

“We as players believe we can do that.

“If you believe it as a player the next step is to go out and do it on the field.”